ACT Brief Weekly Recap: AI Innovation, Industry Resilience, and Supply Chain Readiness

This is the Applied Clinical Trials Brief—your fast track to the latest insights in clinical research operations. In under three minutes, we’ll recap top stories, highlight expert perspectives, and keep you current on what’s moving the industry. Let’s get into it.

On this episode, we’re spotlighting three of the most-viewed stories from the past week.

First, findings from Applied Clinical Trials’ 2025 State of the Industry Survey reveal how research leaders are navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Respondents—led by clinical operations and trial management professionals—highlight growing focus on regulatory modernization, collaboration, and smarter data use. Workforce and site resource pressures remain major barriers to efficiency, while new policy and trade developments are reshaping expectations for 2026 and beyond.

Next, in AI in Action: Breaking Down Clinical Trial Bottlenecks, author Chris Driver explores how artificial intelligence is helping sponsors move from reactive to predictive trial operations. From automated recruitment and real-time safety monitoring to AI-powered data workflows, these tools are reducing delays, improving retention, and creating a more patient-centric experience. As agentic AI evolves, it’s driving faster cycle times and more efficient collaboration across the trial ecosystem.

Finally, Future-Proofing Clinical Trial Supply Chains Against Tariff Risks by Bob Beall examines how trade policy shifts threaten global trial operations. Tariffs on drugs, devices, and materials can trigger delays, cost increases, and compliance issues. Beall outlines eight key elements of a contingency plan—like supplier redundancy, financial safeguards, and regulatory readiness—to help sponsors maintain continuity and protect data integrity in an unpredictable trade environment.

That’s all for this week’s recap. For more on these stories and other developments in clinical research, visit appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com.

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